THE ISLAND OF ARRAN AS A FIELD FOR PLANTING. 349 
planted without any preliminary preparations except the shelter- 
belts, and even in some instances they could be dispensed with. 
Some parts however, otherwise suitable, might be found to be 
too wet, and a certain amount of draining would be necessary: 
about one quarter of the whole area available for planting would 
require this kind of treatment. In addition to draining, some 
fencing would be required, and the fences should either be dry 
stone dykes or wire, the former being the more serviceable, as 
they would form good shelter for the young plantations. The 
fences surrounding the existing woods are chiefly dry stone dykes, 
with, in a few instances, a wire running along the top. The 
expense of the fencing, however, would not be very heavy, and 
on the average the total cost of stocking an acre, including plants, 
labour, etc., would not greatly exceed £5. This outlay would be 
well repaid in a few years, not only by the sale of the produce, 
but also by the shelter given to stock and crops, which would 
materially improve both, greatly to the advantage of the agricul- 
tural community, and to the amenity of the island, 
VOL. XIII. PART III. PAN 
